Best patios in the Twin Cities area: Pioneer Press picks

The outdoor-dining season came later than usual this year, so there's no time to waste in taking advantage of the warm-weather days ahead.

Good thing there are plenty of choices across the metro. Longstanding perennial favorites continue to offer some of the top spots for dining al fresco. Then there are restaurant newcomers or existing ones that have come out with new or improved patios to rival the usual suspects.

We're crushing big time on some of the latest blueprints that include rooftop patios and four-season retractable roofs. From quaint settings to bustling bar and restaurant scenes, consider our 25 picks in great outdoor dining to suit a variety of moods. (*New or improved.)

* THE GREEN ROOM, 215 S. Main St., Stillwater; 651-342-0215; thegreenroomstillwater.com: Race you to a patio seat. Stillwater's first restaurant rooftop deck is small, but its bird's-eye view of the St. Croix River and historic lift bridge make nabbing one of the 30 seats worth the effort. Regulars like the spot for its contemporary feel and inventive menu.

PIER 500, 500 First St., Hudson, Wis.; 715-386-5504; pierfivehundred.com: Not just a clever name. This restaurant's wood deck is the best seat downtown for picturesque views of the pier and St. Croix River.

* PSYCHO SUZI'S, 1900 Marshall St. N.E., Minneapolis; 612-788-9069; psychosuzis.com: Long waits to get a seat on this tiki-themed deck just started getting shorter. The patio overlooking the Mississippi River expanded this year, upping the capacity to 380. Polynesian cocktails and giant pizzas are part of the tradition.

SEA CHANGE (Guthrie Theater), 806 S. Second St., Minneapolis; 612-225-6499; seachangempls.com: The seafood restaurant connected to the theater boasts a patio that is dramatic. The design-conscious, open-air patio is contemporary with quaint views of the Mississippi River and Stone Arch Bridge.

SEA SALT EATERY, 4801 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis; 612-721-8990; seasalteatery.com: The casual restaurant at Minnehaha Falls Park is a favorite destination for some of the best seafood around town. The outdoor dining area is all about nature and people-watching, with views of parkland, trails and a roaring waterfall.

WATER STREET INN, 101 S. Water St., Stillwater.; 651-439-6000; waterstreetinn.us: The quaint, landscaped patio offers a grown-up setting for catching spectacular views of the St. Croix River and lift bridge. The menu of pub fare cranked up a notch is always reliable.

* LOUIS RISTORANTE & BAR, 211 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 612-222-7378; cossettas.com: The longstanding Cossetta just got a multimillion-dollar makeover that includes the addition of this third-floor sit-down Italian restaurant with patio. The large terrace has its own bar, pretty Italian villa accents and flowerbeds. One end of the patio overlooks bustling West Seventh while the other offers a gorgeous view of the Cathedral. For something more casual, Cossetta also added a new wrap-around patio on the second floor.

SALUT BAR AMERICAIN, 917 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-917-2345; salutbaramericain.com: In a mood to people-watch? Try this popular French-American brasserie with one of the largest patios along busy Grand Avenue.

SEVEN SKYBAR (Seven Sushi Ultra Lounge), 700 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-238-7777; 7mpls.com: Fancy steak and sushi spot boasts the most decked-out patio in all of downtown. The expansive rooftop comes with a bar, sleek high tops and mod lounge furniture. Be ready to dress and impress.

STELLA'S FISH CAFE, 1400 W. Lake St., Minneapolis; 612-824-8862; stellasfishcafe.com: A pioneer of the rooftop patio trend in Uptown, this seafood spot is still as popular as ever. That's because the restaurant keeps making improvements. At the moment, it boasts the only two-tiered rooftop deck in the neighborhood and offers one of the best views of the downtown skyline.

BRIT'S PUB, 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; 612-332-3908; britspub.com: Eat, drink, play and enjoy the outdoors all in one place. And bring plenty of friends. The multi-tiered rooftop patio is expansive and includes a lawn-bowling area. Or, to take in some of the Nicollet Mall street action, there's also a sidewalk cafe just outside the main doors.

BURGER MOE'S, 242 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-222-3100; burgermoes.com: This casual spot is bursting with so much colorful decor that spending time here is sure to lift anyone's spirits. Bright canopies and flowerbeds are part of the charm.

DAY BY DAY CAFE, 477 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651- 227-0654; daybyday.com: Escape the hustle and bustle of West Seventh at this breakfast and lunch spot featuring a fenced-in, multi-tiered patio. Potted flowers, a fishpond and a waterfall make dining al fresco even prettier.

ENJOY!, 15435 Founders Lane, Apple Valley; 952-891-6569; enjoy-dining.com: A long and winding stone patio offers plenty of privacy, thanks to multiple seating areas. Regulars also like the spot for its classy vibe and flavorful menu.

LA GROLLA, 452 Selby Ave., St. Paul; 651-221-1061; lagrollastpaul.com: This no-fuss Cathedral Hill spot is a place to slurp pasta while sitting on a quaint, two-tiered patio lined with flowerbeds.

THE LIFFEY (Holiday Inn), 175 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-556-1420; theliffey.com: The patio at this Irish pub is perched on the second floor and is expansive, with a wrap-around bar and plenty of seating. It's also one of the best spots to get a bird's-eye view of the Cathedral of St. Paul and state Capitol.

MUFFULETTA, 2260 Como Ave., St. Paul; 651-644-9116; muffuletta.com: After 30 years, this quaint, landscaped patio is still one of the hottest outdoor-dining seats to nab and smell the flowerbeds. Regulars also flock to this family-friendly restaurant for the reliable food and service.

PATRICK McGOVERN'S, 225 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-224-5821; patmcgoverns.com: It's come rain or shine at this casual hangout, thanks to last year's addition of a retractable roof on the three-tiered landscaped patio.

TRIA, 5959 Centerville Road, North Oaks; 651-426-9222; triarestaurant.com: Get away from the noise and lights of the city at this restaurant on the former farm of railroad mogul James J. Hill. The brick-lined patio with a fireplace is a great place to take in nature. The menu changes seasonally, so there's never a dull moment.

W.A. FROST, 374 Selby Ave., St. Paul; 651-224-5715; wafrost.com: This perennial favorite attracts a crowd, thanks to the large patio's classy vibe, fancy stonework and pretty garden landscapes. It's even more breathtaking when lit up at night -- making it one of the most romantic spots around.